Cut down the size of your government – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has challenged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to immediately cut the size of his government by about 40 Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

This, Mr Mahama says, will bring efficiency by reducing government expenditure and help balance the budget.

Mr Mahama, however, said the reduction of the number of ministers will make no difference to the already lacklustre performance of the Akufo-Addo administration.

Speaking during a closed-door meeting with some disappointed business owners and importers in his office on Monday, 19 August 2019, the former President noted, in reaction to concerns about the government’s increasing budget overruns that, “there can be no justification for some of the ministerial portfolios created by this administration.”

“The Senior Minister, Minister of State in the Office of Vice President, Minister of State in the Office of Senior Minister, Ministers for Procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, Business Development, Special Initiatives, Aviation, Railway Development are all an unnecessary charge on the public purse”, Mr Mahama stated.

He also argued that with the completion of the creation of new regions, the Ministry for Regional Reorganisation has been rendered redundant.

Mr Mahama further called for the reduction in the number of ministers responsible for Security.

He described as unconscionable the appointment of over 60 Deputy Ministers and pledged to drastically cut the size of government if Ghanaians give him their mandate to serve a second term from January 2021.